Chapter 150: Lin Yuqing Slapped

The Hongshun Bidding Conference was held at the Exhibition Center. When Lin Yuqing arrived with her assistant, the exterior was already crowded with a sea of luxury cars.

A bidding conference of this caliber commanded significant attention, even from the high-ranking officials of Shenzhen, and a large contingent of security personnel was deployed to ensure the proceedings went smoothly.

"Yuqing, you're here too."

Just as Lin Yuqing reached the main entrance, a voice called out from behind.

Turning around, she saw Li Shen and Chu Zitong walking up. Knowing they were both friends of Xia Yu, Lin Yuqing smiled and said, "You came as well."

Since they all moved in the same circles and were connected through Xia Yu, their reunion was quite warm.

Presently, Xia Yu and Chu Zitong were collaborating on business ventures, and since Li Shen helped manage things for Xia Yu, he had also grown quite familiar with Chu Zitong.

"Yes, I heard nearly a hundred companies are bidding this time. It's hard to tell who will ultimately win the contract," Li Shen replied. "Even though I know our chances are slim, we still have to try. What if we get lucky and actually get selected?"

"Hehe, that's what I was thinking too," Lin Yuqing said, covering her mouth with a chuckle.

The group walked inside together, and along the way, Chu Zitong shared a piece of news.

"I heard people from the Liang and Li families tried to approach Liu Hongshun, the owner of Hongshun, in advance, but he completely refused to give them the time of day, stating that he wouldn't receive representatives from any company until the bidding conference officially concludes."

"That means we all genuinely have a chance."

Chatting among themselves, they entered the venue. It was already packed with people and extremely lively, filled with merchants dressed in sharp suits, lending the occasion a grand atmosphere.

Dressed in a professional suit with her hair draped over her shoulders and wearing light makeup, Lin Yuqing's striking appearance and figure drew many admiring glances.

Before long, a few men with ill intentions approached to strike up a conversation. However, Lin Yuqing was no longer the naive, sheltered girl fresh out of college she once was, and she deftly rebuffed the men's advances.

Faced with a similar situation, Chu Zitong—with Li Shen's help—shooed the pursuers away and couldn't help remarking, "It's truly stressful hanging out with two great beauties. You two are just too good at attracting bees and butterflies."

"Hmph, a mere nobody from some small family, really thinking of themselves as a big shot. Shameless wags who don't know how to accept graciousness," sneered a slightly chubby man, acting quite pompous after being rejected by Lin Yuqing.

Lin Yuqing paused, frowning as she asked, "Are you talking about me?!"

"Who else, Miss Lin? I know who you are," the man sneered. "I originally wanted to show you some courtesy, but I didn't expect you to be so unappreciative."

"Just a minor Lin family, yet you're still putting on airs here. Who do you think in this room is any worse off than your precious Lin family?"

"If you look down on the Lin family, exactly who are you?" Li Shen intervened, unable to watch any longer. "Do you honestly have the right to look down on others?!"

"Zhang Zirui from the Zhang family. If you don't even recognize Young Master Zhang, what are you even doing here?"

At that moment, a familiar voice drifted over from behind.

***

The group turned around, their expressions instantly souring.

It was none other than Liang Zichao and Lin Yuxin, accompanied by several young scions from their social circle, all of them wearing arrogant expressions.

Having recovered her figure after her miscarriage, Lin Yuxin wore a white, backless evening gown, looking mature, glamorous, and stunning.

With her hand linked through Liang Zichao's arm, she exuded an air of high nobility.

"Young Master Liang is here too. Long time no see," Zhang Zirui greeted with a smile.

"Indeed, it's been a while. I never expected your Zhang family to be interested in the Hongshun Group as well," Liang Zichao said, stopping in front of them.

"Of course. Regardless of the scale of this project, a company of Hongshun's caliber is well worth pursuing for long-term cooperation," Zhang Zirui smiled. "However, I know our chances are minimal; it mostly depends on you folks. After all, nobody here has more competitive leverage than the Liang family."

"Haha, Zirui, you flatter me," Liang Zichao replied, waving his hand with a smile while feeling immensely proud inside.

Zhang Zirui continued, "Knowing that Miss Lin is my sister-in-law's younger sister, I originally wanted to greet her, but I didn't expect to be given the cold shoulder and end up saying a few unpleasant things. I hope my sister-in-law won't take offense."

Lin Yuxin let out a light scoff. "Never mind that. I certainly have no such sister."

Hearing this, Lin Yuqing frowned. "Sister Yuxin, what do you mean by that?"

"Don't call me sister," Lin Yuxin said sarcastically. "I can't bear the honor. Now that President Lin is so illustrious and a major celebrity, how could I possibly still be qualified to call myself your sister?"

"Besides, you haven't looked at me as a sister for a long time anyway. Xia Yu is the only person you care about."

"Oh, right, how come we don't see Xia Yu? Didn't he accompany you here?"

Even an outsider could easily discern the deep resentment toward Lin Yuqing hidden in Lin Yuxin's words.

Lin Yuqing's expression turned ugly, rendering her momentarily speechless.

One of the young masters nearby immediately chimed in with a sarcastic tone, "Sister-in-law, this sister of yours is truly shameless, actually getting mixed up with her former brother-in-law."

"She has zero bottom line, tsk tsk."

"Yeah, she looks so pure on the surface, but who would've guessed she plays so wild behind closed doors?"

Others quickly echoed the sentiments.

Lin Yuqing's face flushed red with embarrassment, her body trembling with anger.

"Hey, aren't you people going too far?!" Li Shen demanded angrily, unable to hold back any longer.

"What kind of garbage are you? When we're talking, is it your turn to interrupt?"

***

Liang Zichao shot him a cold glance. In their eyes, someone like Li Shen was nothing more than an ant.

Although Li Shen clenched his fists, he still felt a tremor of fear inside; after all, this was the heir of one of the three major families, the infamous Liang Zichao.

When Lin Yuqing's stubborn streak flared up, she wasn't one to be pushed around either. Seeing them humiliate her like this, she immediately counterattacked:

"What face do you people have to lecture me? Especially you, Lin Yuxin."

"Cheating during your marriage, getting pregnant, and remarrying right after a divorce—do you honestly think that's something to be proud of?!"

Everyone was stunned. They hadn't expected Lin Yuqing to be so fierce, daring to so recklessly rip open their scars right in public.

Everyone knew this was the one thing Liang Zichao and Lin Yuxin hated most for anyone to bring up.

Sure enough, Lin Yuxin instantly blew her top, her eyes turning red as she snapped, "Lin Yuqing, what did you just say?"

"If you dared to do it, are you afraid of hearing about it?" Lin Yuqing retorted fearlessly.

"Crack!"

Before her voice had even faded, Lin Yuxin delivered a vicious slap across her face.

Lin Yuqing's cheek swelled up instantly, burning with fiery pain.

"Lin Yuqing, let me tell you this: don't ever truly think that piece of trash can protect you."

"If you ever dare to say such words again, it won't just be a simple slap to the face," Lin Yuxin warned, pointing straight at her nose.

Liang Zichao's face remained dark and gloomy, and he was boiling with fury inside.

The commotion at the restaurant last time had completely burned bridges with Xia Yu, and since Lin Yuqing had chosen to side with Xia Yu, she was likewise regarded by them as an enemy.

Therefore, they felt no need to be polite to Lin Yuqing whatsoever.

Watching the group strut away arrogantly, Lin Yuqing covered her face while tears welled up in her eyes, spinning endlessly.

"Yuqing, are you alright?" Li Shen and Chu Zitong rushed forward, looking deeply concerned.

Lin Yuqing took a few deep breaths, forced a smile, and said, "I'm fine. Just... don't tell Brother Yu about this, so he doesn't worry."